'84, '98 Padres sweep into Round 2 of Bracket

SAN DIEGO -- Bruce Bochy produced a managerial masterpiece as the 1998 Padres completed a four-game sweep of the 2012 Giants.
But in the other dugout ... man, what was Bruce Bochy thinking?
Two of the legendary skipper's greatest teams clashed in MLB's Dream Bracket 2, with the 1998 Padres

SAN DIEGO -- Bruce Bochy produced a managerial masterpiece as the 1998 Padres completed a four-game sweep of the 2012 Giants.

But in the other dugout ... man, what was Bruce Bochy thinking?

Two of the legendary skipper's greatest teams clashed in MLB's Dream Bracket 2, with the 1998 Padres emerging victorious. They completed their four-game sweep with three consecutive last-at-bat victories.

Right-handers Kevin Brown and Joey Hamilton twirled gems, allowing one run and six hits over 15 1/3 combined frames in the series. Greg Vaughn brought the thump on offense, going 6-for-16 with three homers and seven RBIs.

With the victory, the Padres advance to face the '86 Mets, who defeated the 2018 Rockies in five games. San Diego's other team in the bracket also swept its opponent. In a stunning upset, the 1984 Friars dispatched the '55 Brooklyn Dodgers in four games. That Padres team will face the '97 Marlins in Round 2.

Game 1: Padres 2, Giants 0Did you expect anything less from 1998 Kevin Brown? The veteran righty outdueled Giants right-hander Matt Cain, with 8 1/3 scoreless frames. Brown struck out seven and allowed just three hits and a walk before turning the ball over to Trevor Hoffman, who earned the save. Brown's '98 season is widely regarded as the best pitching season in Padres history, and he capped it with a gem in Game 1 of the National League Division Series that year, striking out 16 Astros and defeating Randy Johnson. His performance here certainly follows the script.

Game 2: Padres 4, Giants 3, 11 inningsThe Padres managed to mount their game-winning rally in the 11th inning without a single hit. Andy Sheets opened the frame with a walk, and Chris Gomez followed suit before a Brandon Crawford error loaded the bases. Quilvio Veras then plated the game-winning run by working a walk-off walk against Giants reliever Jose Mijares. Veras had homered earlier in the game -- a leadoff shot in the third inning against Madison Bumgarner. Vaughn also went deep in the frame.

Game 3: Padres 8, Giants 6, 11 inningsVaughn's 11th-inning grand slam proved to be the difference as the Padres erupted for five runs in extras, then held on for the victory. John Vander Wal put San Diego on top with an RBI single in the 11th before Vaughn's bases-clearing blast, his second homer of the game. After Mark Langston was knocked around in the bottom of the frame, Randy Myers came on to record the save.

Game 4: Padres 3, Giants 2Again, the Padres won it late, with Chris Gomez's ninth-inning double effectively putting the series on ice. Hamilton held the Giants scoreless through seven innings. He allowed only three hits and was removed after allowing a leadoff double to Gregor Blanco in the eighth. That sparked a rally, and the Giants would tie the game with two runs in the frame. But San Diego struck back immediately. Steve Finley opened the ninth with a single, then stole second, setting the stage for Gomez.